NORTH PARK – San Diego police are investigating a string of three pedestrian robberies and one attempted robbery that began about 11 p.m. Saturday night.

All four occurred within an hour and within a mile of one another. A police spokesman said officers will be looking into whether the incidents are related.

The first attack occurred near Lincoln and Florida streets about 11:10 p.m., police said. A 57-year-old man was walking home when he was confronted by an armed man who demanded cash. The robber was described as a black male, about 6 feet tall, weighing 190 pounds and 30 to and 40 years old, wearing a hat and white hooded sweat shirt. He carried a large, dark handgun, police said.

About 20 minutes later, a man described as black, 16 to 18 years old, wearing a Yankees baseball cap and armed with a large dark handgun, confronted three 70-year-olds walking to their car near 29th Street and University Avenue. The robber wanted money.

At 11:45 p.m. on Arizona Street near Polk Avenue, a man described as black, 5 foot 4 inches tall, wearing a dark hat and armed with a large silver handgun, demanded cash from a 37-year-old woman walking to her house.

About 20 minutes later, a 43-year-old man was walking near Iowa Street and Lincoln Avenue when he was confronted by a black man in his 30s wearing a baseball cap and holding a large handgun who wanted money.

The pedestrian ran away and called police. He was the only one of the victims who escaped without losing his money.

– Dani Dodge

Robber shoots teen, takes tooth jewelry

VALENCIA PARK – Violence erupted early yesterday over a teen's tooth grill, the mouth adornment often worn by rappers and popularized in the hit song “Grillz” by Nelly.

Three teens were walking to their car on Castana Street near North Euclid Avenue about 1:30 a.m. when an armed man in his 20s confronted them, San Diego police said. He demanded that one of the teens, a 15-year-old boy, hand over his flashy tooth jewelry.

The 15-year-old refused and the robber shot him in the foot with a .45-caliber handgun, police said. The robber told the boy that he would shoot him again if he didn't give him the grill. The boy handed over the jewelry and the robber fled.

– Dani Dodge

Housekeeper tied up during hotel robbery

LITTLE ITALY – A robber assaulted a housekeeper at the Radisson Hotel and stole a computer before fleeing Saturday afternoon, San Diego police said.

The robber entered a room the housekeeper was cleaning about 2 p.m., hit her, tied her up, took the laptop computer and ran, police said.

The housekeeper freed herself and called for help. Police are investigating the incident at the hotel, on Front Street near Cedar Street.

Police described the robber as a tall, large-framed male, balding, and in his 40s.

– Dani Dodge

Teen stabs another after gang challenge

CITY HEIGHTS – A 15-year-old stabbed a 16-year-old after a verbal gang challenge about 8:45 p.m. Saturday on University Avenue near 41st Street, San Diego police said.

The 16-year-old was taken to the hospital with wounds to his chest, arm and leg. His wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.

The 15-year-old fled, but later showed up at a hospital with a wound on his hand. A police spokesman did not know yesterday if the boy was arrested.